Experiment No.

6 - PERFORMANCE TEST ON CENTRIFUGAL BLOWER

Experiment No. 6

PERFORMANCE TEST ON CENTRIFUGAL BLOWER

AIM:

To conduct a test on a centrifugal blower and to plot the characteristic curve and to determine its
efficiency

TOOLS REQUIRED:

 stop watch
 centrifugal blower
 energy meter
 meter scale
 differential manometer

PROCEDURE:

 The main is switched on and the desired rpm of the motor is maintained by say 1500,
2000, and 2500.
 The control valve is provided indicating the value position initially at open position.
 The manometer panel board is provided indicating the pressure difference.
 Note down the manometer readings in cm of water and tabulate them.
 From these manometer readings the pressure head can be calculated.
 The time required for 10 revolution in the energy meter is measured using stop watch and
the readings are tabulated.
 Similarly the procedure is carried out for different value of position say 1/4 open 1/2 open
3/4 open and fully closed.

THEORY:

A centrifugal fan is a mechanical device for moving air or other gases. The terms "blower" and
"squirrel cage fan", (because it looks like a hamster wheel), are frequently used as synonyms.
These fans increase the speed and volume of an air stream with the rotating impellers.
Centrifugal fans use the kinetic energy of the impellers to increase the volume of the air stream,
which in turn moves them against the resistance caused by ducts, dampers and other components.
Centrifugal fans displace air radially, changing the direction (typically by 90°) of the airflow.
They are sturdy, quiet, reliable, and capable of operating over a wide range of conditions.
Centrifugal fans are constant displacement devices or constant volume devices, meaning that, at
a constant fan speed, a centrifugal fan moves a relatively constant volume of air rather than a
constant mass. Centrifugal fans are not positive displacement devices. Centrifugal fans have

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 Experiment No. 6 - PERFORMANCE TEST ON CENTRIFUGAL BLOWER

certain advantages and disadvantages when contrasted with positive-displacement blowers. The
centrifugal fan is one of the most widely used fans. Centrifugal fans are by far the most prevalent
type of fan used in the HVAC industry today. They are often cheaper than axial fans and simpler
in construction. They are used in transporting gas or materials and in ventilation systems for
buildings and vehicles. They are also well-suited for industrial processes and air pollution control
system.

FORMULAS:

 Discharge, Q=Cd (A1 X A2)/ √(A1^2 - A2^2) √(Pw/p-1)2gh)

 hw = (h1- h2) x 0.10 m
 Electric power input of motor =(3600x10) / N x T

TABULATION:
S.No. Valve Delivery pressure Discharge orifice meter Time for 10 Blower Blower Blower (O) Efficiency
position reading rev’s of speed (N) input (I) Output (%)
energy t- rpm kW kW
sec
h1 h2 h3 h3 h4 Q
1. Closed
2. ¼ open
3. 1/4open
4. ¾ open
5. Full open
6. Closed
7. ¼ open
8. ¼ open
9. ¾ open
10. Full open

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 Experiment No. 6 - PERFORMANCE TEST ON CENTRIFUGAL BLOWER

CALCULATIONS:

Output power of
blower = Wqh ;
Density of air, p=1.22kg/m^3;
Acceleration due to gravity : g= 9.81m/s^2
Discharge, Q= CD x A1 x A2 √(Pw/p-1)2gh) ;
√(A1^2 - A2^2)
coefficient of discharge Cd=0.6 ;
diameter of inlet pipe , d1=0.131m;
area of inlet pipe a1=0.01348m^2
density of water , Pw=1000kg/m^3
difference in manometer level (___-____)cm of water
Pressure head, h can be converted into m of air by using the following relation.
(pgh)water = (pgh)air
where, hw = (h1- h2)x0.10m
output power = wqha= 0.0486kw
electric power input of motor =(3600x10)/NXT
energy meter constant, n= 1600 rev/ kw hr
time for 10 rev, t=59s
efficiency of motor is 80% assumed

blower efficiency =output / input x 100%

blower efficiency=15%

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 Experiment No. 6 - PERFORMANCE TEST ON CENTRIFUGAL BLOWER

GRAPH:

output power vs discharge

0.4

0.35

0.3

0.25

0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

head vs discharge
60

50

40

30

20

10

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Series1 Series2

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 Experiment No. 6 - PERFORMANCE TEST ON CENTRIFUGAL BLOWER

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efficiancy vs discharge
0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

RESULT:

Thus the characteristic curve is plotted and the efficiency is determined.

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